Nour Elzein Essentials

Nour Al Zain is doubtless a massive pop superstar in his own country. Now, thanks in no small part to the cultural reach of the Iraqi diaspora globally, he has become a global name too. The singer, who has several million views on YouTube, started his career with the explosive "La Ma Jabertek" in the late '00s and has never looked back. He's as popular for preaching the word of God as his brave anti-terrorism rhetoric. Al Zain's sonorous balladry — whether in a solo track or a collaboration with the region's finest musicians — is a modern national treasure.